First Lady to defend school lunch reforms | Food and Environment Reporting Network

First Lady Michelle Obama will stress the need “to protect and advance the tremendous progress that has been made” in school meals during a meeting this afternoon, according to the White House. School leaders and other experts have been invited to the White House to discuss school meals. The House Appropriations Committee has called a meeting for Thursday to vote on a USDA FY15 funding bill that would create a waiver from a 2010 law requiring schools to serve more nutritious meals.

“The entire process could drag on for months,” said Obama Foodorama. It said the First Lady, nutrition policy advisor Sam Kass and the White House “will continue to put the pressure on, which will also include media outings in addition to Tuesday’s White House meeting.”

The Washington Post says it will be “an unusual, high-profile step” by the First Lady into a legislative battle today. “White House aides say she will announce the launch of a campaign-style push to fight the legislation…In addition to Tuesday’s event, White House officials will be speaking publicly this week and next about the benefits of the federal dietary standards, calling members of Congress to lobby for support and organizing scientific and advocacy groups to speak out.”

Last week, the First Lady telephoned senators to support child nutrition.